Model Legislation Project for Physician's Assistants

摘要

In 1965 Duke University Medical Center inaugurated a training program for a new type of health professional designated 'physician's assistants.' As the name suggests, personnel trained in this program function in a direct, personal relationship with a physician, performing many of the tasks which have traditionally been performed exclusively by the physician but which realistically do not require the extensive--and expensive--complete medical training necessary for the physician. It was felt that the addition of a highly trained assistant to the health team would be beneficial in increasing both the quantity and quality of those aspects of care dependent on physician services. Personnel trained to assume some of the more routine tasks which occupy much of the physician's day could free time for the physician to perform a greater number of those functions which require his unique talents and training.